Saturday to decide on future after Pro Bowl

Jan. 25, 2013

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As Donald Driver reportedly moves toward retirement, Jeff Saturday plans to wait until after the Pro Bowl to make a decision on his own future, according to NFL.com.

The Green Bay Packers center will make his sixth Pro Bowl appearance this Sunday as one of the team’s two representatives in Hawaii, joined by right guard Josh Sitton.

Saturday’s Pro Bowl selection came as a slight surprise given he was benched after 14 starts in favor of Evan Dietrich-Smith and played only two snaps over the team’s final four games.

It’s unlikely he’ll be back next season with a $1.35 million practice tag for next season and another $2.4 million due in roster bonuses.

While a USA Today report suggests another Packers' veteran, Driver, is leaning toward retirement, Saturday said he won’t make a decision on playing a 15th season until after Sunday’s game.

“As soon as this game is over, we'll make that final call,” Saturday to NFL.com after Thursday's NFC practice. “I'll sit down with my wife and family, and hopefully we’ll come to a decision.”

Saturday was signed by Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent in 1998. He spent the next 13 seasons with the Colts before relocating to Green Bay last offseason.

When asked last month about his sixth Pro Bowl selection, Saturday was realistic. He admitted it likely will be his final go-around while acknowledging his NFL career nearing its end.

“I know this is the end of it for me, so you just appreciate that and you’re going to enjoy it,” Saturday said. “You remember all of them, but it’s a special time and I’m going to go enjoy it with the family.”